Petition over memorial arboretum name change

More than 4,000 people have signed a petition against the National Memorial Arboretum changing its name later this year.

Earlier this month, the arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, announced it would be rebranding and become the Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens in September.

The RBL became the arboretum's parent charity in 2003 and fully integrated with it this month, the site said.

The petition stated that "any proposal to change the name of this esteemed site undermines its rich heritage and the deep emotional connections many have with it".

"Changing the name of such a significant landmark would result in the loss of its unique identity, which has been carefully built over the years," the Change.org petition added.

"This identity is not just in its name but in its essence - the experience it offers to every visitor who walks through its paths.

"For families, veterans, and educational groups, the arboretum is synonymous with memories and learning that are priceless."

The arboretum said the 150‑acre estate had grown from "the seed of an idea into an inspirational living landscape of remembrance" with more than 300,000 visitors each year.

Speaking about the change earlier this month, Mark Atkinson, director general of the RBL, said, the integration of governance of the arboretum "opened the next chapter in its history".

The rebrand and accompanying changes to how it was run would also strengthen investment in the site's long-term future.

There are more than 420 memorials at the site which would continue to grow and further investment plans are due to be announced later this year.

Responding to the petition, a spokesperson for the RBL, said the name reflected the site's evolution over the past 25 years and its place at the heart of RBL's remembrance work following full integration of the charities.

The naming process included research and consultation with the public and members of the armed forces community, volunteers, and staff.

"The arboretum's founder, Commander (rtd) David Childs CBE, has expressed his strong support for this next chapter of the site, recognising how the original vision has grown and endured while remaining true to its purpose as a living place of remembrance."

Since 2003, RBL had invested more than £34m in the arboretum and the charities coming together would lead to further investment, they added.

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